Victoria BC
family photo
FAQs
Victoria BC family photos FAQs
Approach & what to expect
What is your approach? What if my kids don't behave?
This is one of the most common worries parents have, and I want you to know right away that you do not need to worry about this at all. After more than 20 years of photographing families, trust me when I say I have lots of secret recipes.
- My sessions are never about getting children to perform or behave a certain way. The moment kids feel like they are being asked to perform, that is often when things get harder rather than easier. This is not your grandparents’ version of family portraits.
- I always take time at the beginning of a session to let your child get used to me. I move slowly, I follow their lead, and I create space for them to warm up in their own way.
- Before we meet, I also ask you questions in a questionnaire so you can tell me about your children, their personalities, and anything that might be helpful for me to know. That includes autism, ADHD, anxiety, being camera shy, or anything else that shapes how your child experiences the world. I work hard to create a safe, supportive, and judgment‑free space for every family.
What if my children need a break or I need to cancel or postpone?
If a child needs extra time, we take it. If they need a snack break, we pause. If they need space, we give it. And on the rare occasion that a session truly just isn’t the right day, rescheduling is never a problem. I want this to be a fun experience for your family. There is no charge for rescheduling or canceling your session.
What does lifestyle or documentary mean? Do you give directions? Can we smile at the camera?
My goal is to give you the most effortless experience you’ve ever had taking photos. Lifestyle and documentary photography mean your session is focused on real moments rather than stiff poses or flawless perfection.
You can choose:
- A lifestyle session that feels more like a play date, where I give easy-to-follow directions and we play little games to get great expressions. Kids are free to be kids, and you’re free to just be together. I’m also happy to take a few relaxed smile-at-the-camera photos if you want them. Lifestyle photos lend well to mini-sessions.
- A 100% documentary approach where I unobtrusively photograph your family doing something together like having a picnic, playing in your home, making cupcakes, or going on a hike. These sessions lend well to having an hour or more together.
You can find out more and see examples on my family photography info and pricing page.
Pricing and what's included
What is the cost for family portraits? Do you offer mini-sessions? What is included?
I offer year-round mini-sessions as well as longer storytelling sessions. You can find my family pricing and collection guide here. No matter how much time you choose…
- You will always receive an unlimited number of high-resolution, digital downloads with two versions of each (one in colour + one in black and white).
- If we’re incorporating analog film into your session you’ll also receive the negatives as well as downloadable digital scans.
- Every family also receives a storytelling slideshow and many people tell me their kids ask them to revisit it often over the years.
- I also provide a private online gallery you can choose to share with others so they can help themselves to photos.
What's the difference between film and digital and what do you offer?
I photograph families using digital, analog film, or a combination of both. You get to choose what feels right for you and for the story you want your photos to tell.
Here’s what digital and film is all about:
- Digital photography is crisp, clean, and vibrant. It captures movement easily and is great for kids on the move.
- Film photography is created through chemistry rather than megapixels, which gives it a softer, more poetic feel. Film embraces grain, gentle tones, and beautiful highlights in a way digital simply can’t replicate. A lot of digital editing tries to mimic this look, but it always falls short because film is imperfect by nature and that’s what makes it feel so romantic and timeless.
There’s no right or wrong choice here. Whether you love the softness of film, the vivid colour of digital, or a combination of both, I make it easy for your taste and style to come to life. There’s no additional cost for incorporating film into your photo session.
And if you choose to have some of your family photos on analog film, you will also receive the negatives in addition to the high-resolution digital scans.
What if it's bad weather? Can we cancel or postpone?
We all know Victoria BC can have a range of weather, sometimes even on the same day. That’s why I always touch base with people on the morning of our session to confirm location and timing. If it’s looking like rain, I’ll offer some alternate locations (some favourites include the back of the BC Legislature, Craigdarroch Castle and the covered walkways at UVic).
If you’d prefer to postpone we can find another date. And there is no penalty fee or cost if you prefer to cancel.
What to wear and locations
What should we wear for our family photos?
Think classic, comfortable, and timeless.
- Solid colours and simple textures photograph beautifully and keep the focus on connection rather than clothing. There’s no need to perfectly match.
- Avoid large logos, bold patterns, or trendy items that might date your photos years from now.
- Most importantly, wear something you can move and play in so everyone feels relaxed.
You can find more information in the Family Portrait Getting Ready Guide.
Where are the best locations for family photos in Victoria BC?
Victoria and the surrounding area has so many beautiful options, from beaches and parks to historic spaces and gardens. Some favourite areas include Beacon Hill Park, Fort Rod Hill, Royal Roads, Butchart Gardens, Government House, the Inner Harbour, or your own backyard or home. I’m always happy to help choose a location that fits your family and the season
We're visiting as tourists and want a few backdrops. Can we go to more than one location?
That’s absolutely possible, and it often works really well, especially if you’re visiting Victoria and want a variety of backdrops to remember your trip.
- If you’re doing a mini‑session, the Victoria Inner Harbour is an awesome spot where we can capture a mix of classic scenery, including views of the Empress Hotel and the BC Legislature, without feeling rushed.
- If we have an hour or more together, we have even more flexibility. If we have an hour or more together, we have even more flexibility. In addition to the inner harbour, we can head across the Johnson Street Bridge to a beautiful spot with stunning views of victoria, then make our way over to Fisherman’s Wharf, with its colourful houseboats. I also love taking people to Victoria’s much-loved breakwater and rocky oceanfront. A different direction can take us through the downtown area to Victoria’s epic Chinatown (the oldest in Canada). I’m happy to plan any itinerary you’d like for our time together.
What is involved in at-home photo sessions?
At‑home sessions are all about documenting real life as it’s being lived. They happen in the places where your stories unfold every day, your kitchen, the living room, the hallway bedrooms, the backyard. I focus on moments, connection, and how it feels to be together right now, not on creating a perfectly styled scene.
You do not need to clean or have a perfectly presented house. Truly. I zero in on the story and the moment. When you look through my blog and galleries, you’ll see how I use light and composition to bring your eye exactly where it needs to go. Mess in the corner? Don’t worry about it.
These are the photos your kids and grandchildren will pour over in the years come, wondering what life was like back then. A perfectly tidy house won’t tell that story, but real moments will.
Can we have family portraits at Butchart Gardens?
Absolutely. I have a season’s pass for this very purpose. But I do like to tell people Butchart Gardens does have some rules around photography. We can stop briefly for portraits here and there but we can’t block paths. That said, I know the gardens like the back of my hand and there are quite a few spots where we can get great floral backdrops without blocking traffic.
Editing & privacy
What is your policy on editing photos? Are colours true-to-life? Do you offer retouching?
I have a true-to-life editing style, meaning if the grass is green then it will look that way in your photos. I don’t do colorized Instagram-style filters on any of your photos.
- When it comes to skin, I cater every session to your wants and needs, including how much or how little skin retouching you prefer. There isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all approach here and you’ll receive a questionnaire that asks about your preferences so I know exactly what you’re comfortable with.
- If you would like retouching, my style is light and natural. Think very much the opposite of a plastic doll. The goal is always that you look like you on a good day and that no one can tell the photo has been polished at all.
- I also know a lot of people are very anti‑AI and anti‑Photoshop, and I respect that completely. If you’d prefer a mostly hands‑off approach, I’m happy to keep editing minimal and focus only on colour, brightness, and contrast so the photo looks true to the moment.
There’s no pressure either way. We simply choose what feels right for you, your values, and how you want your photos to look years from now.
Can we keep our photos private? Is our gallery secure?
Yes. I completely respect that not everyone wants their photos shared publicly. When you book your family session, you’ll receive a contract where you can let me know if you’d like to keep your images private, and I always honour that choice.
Your delivery gallery can also be completely private, secure, and password‑protected. Only the people you choose to share the password with will be able to view or download the images. (And, if you’d like your images 100% offline, I can create a USB for you, which adds an additional 7% PST to your session).
FIVE STAR REVIEWS
Feeling the love!
As seen in
Tell me about you!
